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Average

#2015 of 3,778 schools in FL

James Stephens Elementary School

Elementary School · LEE

1333 MARSH AVE, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Enrollment

541

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#2,015 of 3,778

In Fort Myers

#6 of 44

public schools

In district

#35 of 110

LEE

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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James Stephens Elementary School

6.1/10

Elementary School in Fort Myers · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Franklin Park Elementary School

4.0/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Early Childhood Learning Services

3.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Stephens Elementary School

James Stephens Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Myers, FL, part of LEE. James Stephens Elementary School serves approximately 541 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James Stephens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,015 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for James Stephens Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • FL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at James Stephens Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

James Stephens Elementary School runs 22.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

40% of students at James Stephens Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-16.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,108
Chronic Absenteeism39.7%

James Stephens Elementary School — Students at James Stephens Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
58.1% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 30.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
43%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
25%
ELA
32%
2013
ELA
32%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
46.4%
ELA
30.9%
2024
Math
43.7%
ELA
21%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How James Stephens Elementary School Compares

See how James Stephens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in FL
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1333 MARSH AVE, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Stephens Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MANATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ORANGE RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, TICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.5/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Myers, see our Fort Myers schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
FRANKLIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 0.1 mi 4.0
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING SERVICES Fort Myers 0.9 mi 3.5
YOUNG PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM Fort Myers 0.9 mi 5.7
SUCCESS ACADEMY Fort Myers 0.9 mi 5.6
APOSTOLIC REVIVAL CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.1 mi
TICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.1 mi 4.5
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY Fort Myers 1.1 mi 3.1
ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Myers 1.2 mi
NEW LIFE ACADEMY Fort Myers 1.2 mi 6.4
DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.6 mi 5.1
ROYAL PALM EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL CENTER Fort Myers 1.6 mi 5.7
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Fort Myers 1.9 mi 4.2
FORT MYERS ACADEMY Fort Myers 2.0 mi
ORANGE RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.1 mi 4.8
SW FL ADDICTION SERVICES-THE VINCE SMITH CENTER Ft. Myers 2.3 mi
MANATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.6 mi 6.0
OAK HAMMOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.7 mi 5.4
LEE COUNTY JAIL Fort Myers 2.8 mi
COLONIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 3.4 mi 4.1
FORT MYERS MIDDLE ACADEMY Fort Myers 3.4 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33905 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,009

Median Home Value

$260,400

Median Rent

$1,509/mo

Population

40,908

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

64.3%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

40.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ANDREW A. ROBINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 6.1
BEACHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Daytona Beach, FL 6.1
BONITA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bonita Springs, FL 6.1
C. W. NORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 6.1
CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland, FL 6.1
COCONUT PALM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miramar, FL 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Stephens Elementary School

What grades does James Stephens Elementary School serve?

James Stephens Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend James Stephens Elementary School?

James Stephens Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 541 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Stephens Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at James Stephens Elementary School is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Stephens Elementary School rank in FL?

James Stephens Elementary School ranks #2,015 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is James Stephens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Stephens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James Stephens Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Stephens Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is James Stephens Elementary School a charter school?

No, James Stephens Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Stephens Elementary School a Title I school?

No, James Stephens Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Stephens Elementary School?

70.1% of students at James Stephens Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.7%

District

LEE
District Enrollment
100,064
Schools in District
120
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,108
District Rank
#35 of 110

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